PBP: 2025 MLS Season Week 27 PBP Thread September 13 {R}

Seattle and the Galaxy meet for the 3rd time in 5 weeks, but this time in Seattle. The other two meetings in LA resulted in the Sounders winning 4-0 and 2-0.

 

If MLS had a pro/rel structure, the first-ever meeting between St. Louis and Montreal would qualify as a 'relegation six-pointer'. The Galaxy are on 20 points, St. Louis have 22, and Montreal and DC United are both on 24 in the race to avoid the Wooden Spoon this year.

This matchday's most played rivalry this week happens to be the Galaxy at Seattle, as the teams meet for the 56th time. The Sounders lead Los Angeles, 22-19 with 14 draws.

Other lengthy series encounters for Saturday include:

--Real Salt Lake vs. Sporting Kansas City, where RSL hold a 19-17 advantage with 11 draws.
--Colorado vs. Houston, where the Rapids and Dynamo each have 15 wins against the other to go with 14 draws.
--New England vs. Toronto sees the Revolution holding a 17-12 advantage over TFC with 13 draws.

 

The Revs are not mathematically eliminated yet, but even the ever-positive Caleb Porter admits it would "take a miracle". A Chicago win over NYC combined with a Revs loss or draw vs TOR would put them out of their misery.

NYC is 2 points ahead of CHI with a game in hand, so the Fire need this one if they want any hope of hosting the wild card game.

 

It's pretty impressive that Seattle - LA is the most played match, given the others listed involve teams who were in MLS before Seattle.

 

Included in the 55 previous meetings are get-togethers in the U.S. Open Cup (5 times), MLS Cup Playoffs (8 times), and 2 matches in Leagues Cup (2024 and 2025). In regular season play, the teams have met 40 times.

 

Do you know what is the most played competitive fixture between MLS teams? I know for a long-time (into the 20-teens) it was Galaxy-Rapids but I assume that's changed since then now that A. We suck enough to not make the playoffs regularly and B. There are a lot more options for regional matchups in the West.

 

Here's what I found on Transfermarkt.

Most Played Series: DC United vs. New York MetroStars/Red Bulls (107 times)
DC United lead, 45-42 with 20 draws.

2nd Most Played Series: New York MetroStars/Red Bulls vs. New England Revolution (99 times)
New England lead, 43-36 with 20 draws.

3rd Most Played Series: Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids (98 times) and DC United vs. New England Revolution (98 times)
Los Angeles Galaxy lead, 50-35 with 13 draws.
DC United lead, 43-39 with 16 draws.

In the off-season, I hope to gather up all the series records between the 30 MLS sides.

 

Here are PRO's assignments for this weekend's matches.
Here are the Player Availability and Disciplinary Summary reports for this weekend's matches.
Here are the MLS Game Guides for this weekend's matches.

 

They probably aren’t counting San Jose 1.0 vs. Colorado. Because that’d have to be the most played fixture; they’ve been in the same division for 30 seasons.

 

Colorado-Galaxy would have it beat, since they've actually played all 30 seasons in the same division (the only two teams in the West to do so)

 

I don't understand why there are more games.

 

Well, 28 seasons.

 

I start to get used to Sunday Night Soccer and then there is no Sunday Night Soccer. Welcome back, NFL?

 

Maybe but MLS has Sunday games the next 3 weeks so not completely giving it up to the NFL.

 

???? Colorado isn’t playing the Galaxy this weekend.

 

Wasn't the discussion about the most-played matchups of all time?

 

no

 

With the talking heads focusing on the race for the Supporters Shield, it's time for the annual reality check. More second-place teams in conferences (or divisions) have won the MLS Cup than first-place teams in the conferences (or divisions).

 

Miami looking dangerous over the first ten minutes in Charlotte.

 

Shock! First goal of the night belongs to St. Louis!